Saadiyat Cultural District
About Saadiyat Cultural District
Saadiyat Cultural District is part of Saadiyat Island, curated as a global arts destination. Major cultural institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi are already operational, with Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum (due in 2025) and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi under development. These anchor attractions give the district a unique identity and draw visitors from around the world.
The residential side includes Mamsha Al Saadiyat by Aldar Properties, offering 1–4 bedroom luxury apartments, 1-bedroom lofts, penthouses (4–6 bedrooms) and townhouses—all spanning between approximately 1,743 sq ft and 5,737 sq ft. Nudra by IMKAN Properties provides standalone 6‑bedroom villas or plots built in “Dunes” or “Beach” themes, with private swimming pools and community facilities like tennis courts and a gym.
Saadiyat Grove is an off‑plan mixed‑use development by Aldar Properties covering 45,000 sqm, including residential, retail, business and leisure. Projects within this masterplan include The Source, Louvre Residences and Grove Museum Views.
Properties in the district range from studios and apartments (1–4 bedrooms) to high‑end townhouses and villas (4–7 bedrooms), catering to a luxury lifestyle integrated with cultural amenities. Sale and rental prices reflect this positioning, with a wide price spectrum that includes mid‑range apartments up to ultra‑luxury villas and penthouses. The overall layout fosters a lifestyle that merges beachfront living with museum access and public promenades.
Project Highlights
Key features
Premier cultural district with multiple museums
Luxury residential mix: villas, townhouses, apartments, penthouses
Beach‑front and walking promenades
Flagship sub‑communities: Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Nudra, Saadiyat Grove
Located along Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street (E12)
Market Trends & Living Insights
Real Estate Market Trends & Prices
Rental prices (annual)
1‑bed flat: AED 65,000–280,000
2‑bed apartment: from AED 127,000
3‑bed flat: AED 201,000–430,000
4‑bed apartment: up to AED 700,000
Townhouse rental
2‑bed: AED 250,000–400,000
3‑bed: from AED 340,000
Sales prices
Studio: from AED 632,000
1‑bed: from AED 1.28 million
2‑bed flat: AED 2 million up to AED 8 million
3‑bed flat: AED 12.5 million
4‑bed flat: up to AED 23 million
Townhouses
2‑bed: AED 6 million–8 million
3‑bed: AED 8 million–15 million
Villas
4‑bed villa: from AED 22 million
5‑bed villa: AED 16.8–33 million
6‑bed villa: up to AED 28 million
7‑bed villa: from AED 25 million
Penthouses
4‑bed penthouse: AED 17 million
5‑bed penthouse: ~AED 23.5 million
6‑bed penthouse: AED 21 million
Popular Property Types & Layouts
Vertical luxury apartments and lofts (1 to 4 bedrooms, penthouses of 4–6 bedrooms)
Townhouses (2–3 bedrooms, around 2,379–4,000 sq ft)
Independent villas (4–7 bedrooms, 9,200–13,584 sq ft)
Pros & Cons of Living in Saadiyat Cultural District
Pros
Unique cultural hub with multiple world-class museums
Beachfront living with promenades and water views
Luxury homes and exclusive community facilities
Mixed-use district with retail, leisure and arts venues
Cons
Tourist activity may impact peace and quiet
Fully developed large-scale master plan still in progress
Transportation & Parking
Owning a car in Saadiyat Cultural District is convenient, with villas and townhouses featuring private garages and apartments providing reserved parking areas.
Public Transportation in Saadiyat Cultural District
Residents can rely on taxis and bus routes given the district’s status as a major attraction.
No metro station directly in district
Bus stops: Jacques Chirac Street / Saadiyat Beach Gate B; Cranleigh Tower / Jacques Chirac Street; Laffan Street / Saadiyat Island
Taxis and ride‑hailing services readily available throughout the district
Primary access via Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street (E12)
Amenities, Schools & Healthcare
Supermarkets near Saadiyat Cultural District
The only supermarket within the district is Carrefour in Mamsha Al Saadiyat. A variety of nearby options on Saadiyat Island include:
Leens Express
Spinneys
Waitrose
Lulu Express
Mosques, Temples, and Churches in Saadiyat Cultural District
Mosque: The Abrahamic Family House includes the Imam Al‑Tayeb Mosque, the St. Francis Church and the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue in a single interfaith complex.
Other Mosques on Saadiyat Island: Al‑Hamd Mosque, Al Saadiyat Masjid, Hidd Al Saadiyat Mosque, Alfarouq Masjid.Churches: For Christian worship, residents travel to Al Mushrif (~20 min drive) for St. George Orthodox Church, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, St. Therese Church, among others.
Temples: BAPS Hindu Mandir (Al Taf Road/E16) and Gurudwara Nanak Darbar (~18 min drive).
Nurseries, Schools, Higher Education in Saadiyat Cultural District
Nurseries
Odyssey Nursery
Redwood Montessori Nursery
Schools
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi (5 min, England‑based curriculum, rated ‘Very Good’)
Repton School Abu Dhabi
International Community School
Abu Dhabi Grammar School (Canada, ~12 min)
Higher Education
New York University Abu Dhabi (~12 min by car)
Clinics and Hospitals Near Saadiyat Cultural District
Aster Clinic (Al Zahia community; ~10-minute drive)
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (Al Falah St.; multi‑speciality with emergency; ~13 min)
Corniche Hospital (near Sheraton, Al Muthamman St.; ~14 min)
Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital (Ar Razqi St.; cardiothoracic and paediatric care; ~15 min)
Nearby pharmacies: Al Manara Pharmacy, Health First Pharmacy (~8–10 min)
Nearby Areas of Saadiyat Cultural District
Saadiyat Cultural District is surrounded by several other key communities on Saadiyat Island and nearby islands. To the northeast lies Saadiyat Beach; to the east is Jawaher Saadiyat. Park View on Al Reem Island is to the southwest, while Soho Square sits southeast across the highway. Other well‑known areas such as Al Jubail Island and Al Zahia are also within reach via main roads.
Lifestyle & Leisure in Saadiyat Cultural District
Shopping Malls in Saadiyat Cultural District
Residents enjoy a range of malls nearby beyond district retail:
The Collection Saadiyat Mall – 4 min by car, sister retail to Mamsha
Yas Mall – 20 min drive, 3 levels, 370+ stores, cinema, family entertainment (Fun Works)
Al Mariah Mall – ~15 min drive, departmental stores, cinema, fast food
Restaurants in Saadiyat Cultural District
A diverse culinary scene exists within and around the district:
Fouquet’s (Louvre Abu Dhabi) – modern French cuisine
Restaurant Louvre Abu Dhabi – nouvelle cuisine inside museum
NIRI Restaurant & Bar – stylish Japanese dining
Black Tap – gourmet burgers with sea view at Mamsha
Raclette Brasserie & Cafe – beachfront French‑inspired setting
Wake n’ Bake – bakery café
Other Dining Options in Saadiyat Cultural District
Licensed pubs within ~20-min drive include:
Heroes
B‑Lounge
Cristal Bar
Hidden Bar
Harvesters Pub
Porters English Pub
Beaches Near Saadiyat Cultural District
Saadiyat Beach
Soul Beach
Kai Beach Saadiyat
Leisure & Landmarks in Saadiyat Cultural District
Louvre Abu Dhabi – iconic universal museum with cutting‑edge architecture
Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi – upcoming cultural venues
Outdoor, Fitness & Beauty in Saadiyat Cultural District
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club – 18‑hole coastal course with wildlife viewing, under 10 min train
Gyms: Ultimate Athletics (~12 min), Top Gym and F45 Training (8–10 min)
Spas/salons: Iridium Spa (~8 min), Tips and Toes (~10 min), De Joie Beauty Lounge
Community Events in Saadiyat Cultural District
Manarat Al Saadiyat operates year‑round as an events hub with exhibitions, The Art Fair, cultural events, public speaking, music and arts festivals drawing in diverse audiences.
Saadiyat Cultural District Location
Frequently Asked Questions
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